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Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Advantages & Disadvantages

July 27, 2017

When people think of wind turbines, they often visualize the expansive rotors of a horizontal-axis system. A vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) has blades mounted on the top of the main shaft structure, rather than in the front like an aircraft rotor. The generator is usually placed at the tower base.

Used less often than their horizontal counterparts, VAWTs are more practical in residential areas. Two common designs include a turbine that resembles two halves of a 55-gallon drum, each mounted to the rotating element (Savonius rotor), and a smaller model that looks somewhat like an egg beater (Darrieus model). Savonius models are more commonly used and let air in through a hub to turn a generator; the turbine spins via rotational momentum when air passes through the blades.

The unit has two or three blades and can be shorter and closer to the ground than a horizontal system. A Giromill also features an egg beater design but has two or three straight blades on the vertical axis. Helical blades constitute another design, which resembles a structure like DNA. In general, vertical axis wind turbines come with their own advantages and disadvantages when compared to alternative configurations.

VAWT Advantages

These turbines have fewer parts than those that orient the rotary mechanism and blades horizontally. That means fewer components to wear out and break down. Also, the supporting strength of the tower doesn’t need to be as much, because the gearbox and generator are near the ground. Parts for controlling pitch and yaw aren’t needed either.

The turbine doesn’t have to be facing the right wind direction either. In a vertical system, air flowing from any direction or speed can rotate the blades. Therefore, the system can be used to generate power in gusty winds and when they’re blowing steadily.

Other benefits include:

Safety for workers: Maintenance workers do not have to climb as high to reach parts of the tower. Not only are VAWTs shorter. They also have major components closer to the ground. Maintaining generators, gearboxes, and most of the mechanical and electrical parts of the structure do not require scaling the tower because these aren’t mounted on top. Lifting equipment and climbing gear aren’t needed either.

Scalability: The design can be scaled down to small sizes, even as small as what will fit on an urban rooftop. In cities, there may not be room for all renewable energy technologies, but vertical turbines provide a viable alternative to hydrocarbon energy sources.

In addition, VAWTs are:

Cheaper to produce than horizontal axis turbines.

More easily installed compared to other wind turbine types.

Transportable from one location to another.

Equipped with low-speed blades, lessening the risk to people and birds.

Function in extreme weather, with variable winds and even mountain conditions.

Permissible where taller structures are prohibited.

Quieter to operate, so they don’t disturb people in residential neighborhoods.

According to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, vertical axis wind turbines are more suited for being installed in denser arrays. Up to 10 times shorter than horizontal models, they can be clustered into arrays that even create turbulence from one turbine to another, which helps increase the flow around them. Therefore, wind speeds up around each one, increasing the power-generated. A low center of gravity also makes these models more stable for floating in offshore installations.

Top Benefits Over Horizontal Turbines

The vertical design allows engineers to place the turbines closer together. Groups of them don’t have to be spaced far apart, so a wind farm does not have to take up as much ground area. The proximity of horizontal wind turbines to one another can create turbulence and reductions in wind speed that affects the output of neighboring units.

A 2017 report in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, cited by Phys.org, noted that although vertical axis wind turbines produce less energy per tower, they have the potential to generate as much as 10 times more power over a comparative area of land when placed in arrays.

Disadvantages of VAWTs

Not all of the blades produce torque at the same time, which limits the efficiency of vertical systems in producing energy. Other blades are simply pushed along. There is also more drag on the blades when they rotate. Although a turbine can work in gusty winds, that is not always the case; the low starting torque and dynamic stability problems can limit functionality in conditions the turbine wasn’t specifically designed for.

Since the wind turbines are lower to the ground, they do not harness the higher wind speeds often found at higher levels. If installers prefer to erect the structure on a tower, these are more difficult to install in such a way. However, it is more practical to install a vertical system on a level base, such as the ground or the top of a building.

Vibration can be an issue at times, and even increase the noise produced by the turbine. Air flow at ground level can increase turbulence, thereby increasing vibration. This can wear out the bearing. At times, this can result in more maintenance and therefore more costs associated with it. In earlier models, blades were prone to bending and cracking, causing the turbine to fail. Small units atop buildings or other structures may be subject to jostling forces, which add lateral stress that warrants ongoing maintenance and the use of stronger, more sturdy materials.

To Go Vertical or Not

While they produce less energy than horizontal turbines, vertical axis wind turbines still produce power and can be a better option depending on the application. They’re more suitable where space is limited and come with fewer challenges and risks to maintain. This design has remained popular as engineers have addressed the challenges and have found applications in small-scale installations, particularly in urban areas. Over time, there is the potential for engineering innovations to improve the energy producing efficiency of VAWTs, and increase the advantages they can offer in various applications.

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